Three Victims Named After Iranian Missile Destroys Home in Petach Tikva, Killing Four
Tragedy struck the Israeli city of Petach Tikva after an Iranian missile hit a residential building, killing four civilians despite their attempts to seek shelter. Among the victims were an elderly woman and a married couple, whose son learned of their deaths from abroad, highlighting the human toll of the ongoing regional conflict.
The names of three of the four civilians murdered in Monday’s deadly missile strike on Petach Tikva were released Tuesday, as the city continues to reel from one of the most lethal attacks on its home front during the current war. The victims include Daisy Yitzhaki, 85, and Yaakov and Hadassah Belo, a married couple whose apartment suffered a direct hit from an Iranian missile armed with a powerful warhead.
The missile, one of several launched at Israeli cities during the Iranian offensive, struck a residential building in the heart of Petach Tikva, causing catastrophic destruction. The Belo couple had been taking refuge in their Mamad, a reinforced safe room meant to protect civilians during rocket attacks, when the missile penetrated even this secure space, killing them instantly. The violent impact not only destroyed their home but also wounded Daisy Yitzhaki’s live-in caregiver, who was present at the time of the strike.
The fourth victim, whose identity has yet to be released, was also killed in the same building. As the city mourns, Petach Tikva’s mayor issued a statement expressing deep sorrow and solidarity with the grieving families, vowing that the community stands united in the face of this “cruel murder” of innocent civilians.
The tragic loss of the Belos was confirmed by their son, Ofir Belo, who currently resides in Brazil. In a heartbreaking social media post, he wrote that he was in “total shock” upon learning of his parents’ deaths. His words echo the anguish of countless Israelis enduring the emotional trauma of a war that has now claimed the lives of loved ones not only on the front lines but in their very homes.
This attack is a stark reminder that Iran’s missile capabilities, especially those using heavy warheads, present a significant threat even to areas equipped with civilian shelters. It also underscores the ongoing challenge of early warning systems and the need for constant vigilance, even in cities located deeper within Israel’s central heartland.
Petach Tikva, now joins a growing list of Israeli communities directly scarred by Iranian aggression with 24 casualties as a result of the Iranian missile attacks. As emergency crews continue to clear debris and assist the injured, the entire nation grieves with the families of the victims, and prepares for what may lie ahead.